Brain & Intestine have a lot in common.

 

Published March 8, 2003 in the North Island Weekender

 

 

The intestinal tract is known as the second brain amongst scientists such as Dr. Michael Gershon MD who wrote the book on the subject (The Second Brain.)
The reason for this is that the neurotransmitter serotonin which is a well known to function in the brain, is also found in the gut.
This production of serotonin can be slowed by toxicity. You may have a particularly irritable day and when you have a bowel movement find it is particularly offensive and then you realize that could be the reason for your bad day.
These toxic smelly gases formed by putrefaction and fermentation in the gut do circulate in your body affecting your brain and how you feel emotionally.
This may explain why during a fast you feel exceptionally clear-headed and full of energy, as your body is not taking energy to digest food nor creating these toxic gases.
If you are under stress this can also affect your digestive function. When you travel you may be more constipated than normal or you may get diarrhea easily if your diet changes too much.
Cortisol is the stress hormone that is pumped out by the adrenal glands (they sit on top of your kidneys) and fire the sympathetic nervous system. When you have too much cortisol floating around it dominates the parasympathetic nervous system which is needed for optimal digestive function.
So all your sympathetic energy is used so you can run away from a charging lion, except there is no charging lion, just a deadline at work or a troublesome boss or co-worker.
The effects are the same, your heart races, breathing quickens and the digestive system shuts down to reserve energy. Have you ever seen a horrified bear? It may have a huge bowel movement on the spot as it readies itself for flight.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a catchall term describing a number of symptoms that range from constipation, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, urgency, gas and bloating. Other symptoms that may relate include reflux (GERD), heartburn, bad taste in your mouth and a sore throat relating the regurgitation or reflux.
The first thing I do with these folks is get them off wheat. This gets the patient off wheat and yeast because the most common source of wheat is bread which is usually yeasted. Yeast is a common culprit in the intestinal tract aggravating these symptoms so eradicating both usually gives relief in a matter of days.
Just the other day I spoke to a woman who had lost 40 pounds by following a high protein diet which was a novel thing for her. She was very proud of her progress and had never felt better in her life.
It is such a shame that more folks don’t realize that these two foods create such havoc with overall health and especially the digestive tract, and may also contribute to the rising instances of diabetes we are seeing.
According to IMS Health Canada, one of the best selling prescription drugs in Canada is Losec. This drug inhibits the production of stomach acid for the treatment of H. pylori, GERD, gastritis and ulcers.
Another patient, Joe, came in complaining of gastric reflux, abdominal bloating, cramping and diarrhea. I sent him home with a simple peppermint cordial to take in place of his antacid Tums, had him discontinue eating wheat, yeast and the two cups of coffee with sugar he had every day, and take a simple digestive enzyme formula that not only promoted the healing of the stomach lining but also provided enzymes to digest carbohydrates, fats and fiber.
I also had him avoid eating meat at the same time as carbohydrates such as potatoes, rice or beans. Joe was able to discontinue the Prevacid (similar in action to the Losec) and remain symptom-free.
He was not awakened at night by pain anymore. His bowels became more regular with the use of psillium husk powder, taken on an empty stomach. His candida score on the organ testing returned to normal after two months, he lost weight, his snoring was much less troublesome for his wife and his energy and mental clarity improved.
In some cases it may not be this easy and I put these folks on a three-month candida program that decreases the over-growth of yeast in the body. Others need to avoid sources of gluten including rye, barley and oats.
If you are on Asacol to treat irritable bowel syndrome just know that there may be some very easy dietary and nutritional remedies that can make your life much more comfortable, and within a few short weeks. Most of these types of patients I see have been struggling with this condition for years!
Follow your gut feelings, read the book Breaking The Vicious Cycle by Gottschall if you have colitis and if you have gastritis and ulcers read Dr. Jonn Matsen’s book Eating Alive.
Look at the stress load in your life, chew your food, don’t drink with your meals so the digestive acids can work better and eat slowly. All of these factors will go along way to increasing your energy, mental clarity and losing a few unnecessary pounds.

Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine since 1985 and is currently practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com